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2.0L 16v - Cosworth YB N5
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2.0L 16v - Cosworth YB N5
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Set of 4 forged 4340 connecting rods for Ford 2.0L 16V Turbo Cosworth YB, stock 128.5 mm center-to-center.
The Ford Cosworth YB is an inline four-cylinder, 1,993 cc 16-valve turbocharged engine, developed in the late 1980s from the Pinto block and topped with a Cosworth-designed sixteen-valve cylinder head. With a 90.8 mm bore and a 77 mm stroke, it powered the Sierra RS Cosworth, the Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth and the Escort RS Cosworth, and served as the basis for Group A and rally homologation. Depending on the version (codes YBB, YBG, YBT, YBP), factory output ranges from roughly 204 to 220 hp.
Built to handle high boost pressure, the YB combines a sturdy cast-iron block with a forged crankshaft. As soon as boost and power climb beyond factory figures, the rotating assembly becomes the weak link: the connecting rod faces far higher alternating loads and cylinder pressure than on the stock engine. Fitting forged connecting rods makes the build reliable and unlocks the full potential of the YB in intensive use.
Forged connecting rods are among the key parts of any engine build. Forged from steel and then precision-machined, they offer mechanical strength and fatigue resistance far above the stock sintered-metal rods, which quickly reach their limits as power rises.
Each rod is balanced and supplied with its ARP high-performance hardware. Offered in I-Beam profile with ARP 2000 or ARP L19 hardware, they secure high-boost setups and sustained high rpm, where the stock rod eventually bends or breaks.
| Reference | Brand | Profile | Bolts | Pin diameter OEM 24 mm | Small-end width | Big-end diameter OEM 55 mm | Big-end width | Center-to-center OEM 128.5 mm | Weight per rod |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-FOR-001-I | ZRP | I | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm | 24 mm | 55 mm | 25.85 mm | 128.5 mm | 527 g | |
| R-FOR-001-I-L19 | ZRP | I | ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 24 mm | 55 mm | 25.85 mm | 128.5 mm | 527 g |
| Rod | Bolts | Torque | Recommended stretch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZRP (R-FOR-001-I) | ARP 2000 | 61 N·m | 0.140 – 0.152 mm |
| ZRP (R-FOR-001-I-L19) | ARP L19 | 67.8 N·m | 0.152 – 0.165 mm |
Manufacturers recommend the stretch-gauge method as the reference: the instructions supplied with the kit always take precedence. The torque figures correspond to assembly with ARP lubricant.
| 4340 steel is a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel used in aerospace and motorsport alike. Forged then heat-treated (quench and temper), it offers excellent tensile strength, high fatigue resistance and real ductility. Compared with an original rod (often sintered/powder metal, optimised for series-production cost), a 4340 forged rod shows roughly +19% higher yield strength, +8% higher tensile strength and above all +19% to +37% higher fatigue strength, i.e. a fatigue life under cyclic loading several times longer. This is what makes forged 4340 the reference material as soon as boost and rpm climb. |
 | I-Beam profile. With its slimmer central section, the I-Beam rod is lighter: less inertia and freer rev pickup. It is the most common profile on modern turbo engines and the natural choice for a Cosworth YB build focused on revs. |
The rod bolt is one of the most heavily stressed parts in the engine. The key is to match the ARP grade to the real use of the build, then to strictly follow the assembly torque and stretch.
 | ARP 2000 (tensile strength ~220,000 psi, i.e. ~1,517 MPa) is the high-performance standard. Suited to builds up to 150 hp per cylinder with 5/16" bolts or 200 hp per cylinder with 3/8" bolts, and up to 8,500 rpm, it is the most common grade in circuit, track days, drift, rally, drag and hillclimb, recognised for its strength, reliability and versatility, with no particular storage constraints. |
 | L19 (tensile strength ~260,000 psi, i.e. ~1,793 MPa) is designed for engines pushed to the extreme, up to 200 hp per cylinder with 5/16" bolts or 250 hp per cylinder with 3/8" bolts, and up to 10,000 rpm: very high boost pressure, sustained high rpm and high cylinder pressure. It is the choice for big-power builds: drag racing, drift, rally and circuit use. Caution: sensitive to corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement, it must always be stored and fitted oiled, away from moisture. |
In addition to torque tightening, measuring rod-bolt stretch is the most reliable check for optimal preload. The check is done with the bolt fitted: place the gauge (dial indicator) on the two ends of the bolt and read its actual stretch, which must match the recommended value (see the torque & stretch table above). This method removes the friction variations inherent in torque tightening and secures the assembly on heavily stressed engines. |
 | ZRP is a Greek brand of high-performance forged connecting rods designed by Alex Drakos in Athens. Each rod is forged in 4340 steel, precision-machined and balanced to ±1 g to stay reliable at high rpm. Designed and inspected in Greece, proven in rally, on track and in drift, they are offered here for the Cosworth YB in I-Beam profile with ARP 2000 or ARP L19 bolts. |
 | 1) Small end 2) Small-end diameter 3) Rod beam 4) Rod bolt 5) Big end 6) Rod nut / bolt 7) Rod cap 8) Big-end diameter 9) Center-to-center |
These forged connecting rods are compatible with every version of the Ford Cosworth YB 2.0 16V Turbo engine. At the stock center-to-center length (128.5 mm), they are a direct replacement for the original rods while handling far more power.
| Brand | Model (chassis) | Engine code | Power | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | Sierra RS Cosworth | YBB | 204 hp | 1986–1990 |
| Ford | Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth | YBB / YBG | 204–220 hp | 1988–1992 |
| Ford | Escort RS Cosworth | YBT / YBP | 220 hp | 1992–1996 |
OEM reference:
Investing in forged connecting rods means, above all, protecting the whole engine. A stock rod that lets go almost always destroys the block, the crankshaft and the cylinder head.
For the Cosworth YB, the extra cost of forged rods is nothing compared with the price of a full rebuild after a failure. It is the guarantee of a reliable build, able to handle the added power over time.
With their included ARP hardware and a versatile I-Beam profile, these forged connecting rods offer the best balance of performance, mechanical safety and durability for your Ford Cosworth YB.
